Volunteer Training rev. February 2020 What is Family Promise? A - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Volunteer Training

• rev. February 2020

What is Family Promise?

A national movement that believes we can address family homelessness —right here in

• ur own

communities.

What is Family Promise?

One sandwich One conversation One idea can change the world.

https://familypromise.org/our-story/

Affiliate #142 #6 in Tennessee

https://familypromise.org/the-latest/142nd-affiliate-opens-in-tennessee/

First Day Center - Green Meadow UMC First Host Church - Sycamore Tree UMC First Family - couple with teenage son

How do families become homeless? Debt Diapers Day Care Divorce Death Disaster Decisions

Going Home, Staying Home Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing

Wheels to Work Transitional Housing

Home based shelter - very low rent 1 month up to one year Intensive case managment and life skills classes Goal is permanant housing Donated cars Family must attend budget class Committee decision Monthly fee Car care kit - AAA - earn gas cards Earn the title in one year

Child & Parent Art Eating Well Moving More with UT Extension Landlord Relationships Sesame Street in Communities understanding family homelessness Outings with Alcoa Kiwanis

Classes:

Going Home Staying Home

Day Center

laundry showers mailing address laptops and wifi kitchen play room playground storage

staff office space meeting space community Little Free Library provided by Alcoa Kiwanis

101 Pinedale Street Maryville TN

A place to call home!

Shelter

single parents with children two-parent families grandparents raising grandchildren expectant mothers or couples* Who is eligible? willing and able to work willing to follow the program actively engaged in case management able to live in community no drugs/alcohol no domestic violence no warrants/criminal history no untreated mental illness

Family Case Management

Safety net

immediately reduces vulnerability

Transportation

15 passenger van Day Center mini-van Guests may drive their own car Guests may apply for Wheels to Work Program

How does shelter really work?

hospitality family style home cooked meals love encouragement support dignity each family has their own room so they can stay together

Volunteers

Churches

Beds Food Volunteers 3 or 4 host weeks per year Food Volunteers Financial Support Volunteers Host Church Support Church Partners

greet guests by name keep guests privacy and confidentiality consistant expectations boundaries respect parental authority invite guests to church or activities be accepting if they aren't ready for church yet

• r have a home church

Volunteers

use common sense be flexible where appropriate respect guest privacy communicate with other volunteers on duty communicate with Church Coordinator communicate with Family Promise childcare is parent responsibility

• ffer to assist but don't interfere

report abuse immediately and notify Family Promise

Typical Hosting Week

Sunday to Sunday Guests arrive 5/5:30 PM Volunteers & Guests share a meal 6-7 PM Line up together everyone fill their own plate Volunteers provide optional activities games, crafts, homework help, etc. Everyone retires for the night at 9 PM Doors to building are LOCKED at 9 PM Guests leave no later than 7 am go to work, the Day Center, school, etc. Guests stay at host church on Saturdays unless they have other plans

Typical Volunteer Shifts

Church Coordinator Meal Prep 1 volunteer or a group Dinner Host 5:00 - 8:30 pm 2 volunteers Overnight 2 volunteers ideally 1 male 1 female Saturday Host 2-4 volunteers at a time typically 2-4 hours a shift

Kitchen cooking serving Dining Lounge Family and Host bedrooms Storage (linens, kitchen staples, etc.) Other playroom study/quiet area Some areas may be OFF LIMITS too! Learn specifics about your host church from your coordinator!

Host Church Areas

Coordinator Report

Food Allergies Number of Guests and Ages Number of Volunteers

Menu

Communicate with your team Online tools like https://perfectpotluck.com/ and https://takethemameal.com/ can help plan and make sure we don't feed our guests spaghetti every night! Not all families allow sweets

Meal Prep Team

Meal Basics

meals are served to guests and volunteers together sit down and eat together at family table provide healthy choices when possible encourage guests to help clean up - kids usually love to help! guests prepare bag lunches for the next day leftovers can be taken for lunch lunch meat, cheese, pb&J, fruit, juice boxes weekdays are usually simple cereal, frozen waffles, muffins, coffee/tea, juice, milk Lunch Breakfast

Expectations

Guests know the guidelines and sign them Guests are expected to respect congregation property

• ther's opinions

time and energy spent by volunteers Guests may not bring fast food to host church its rude to volunteers who have prepared meals If guests have intolerances or allergies, Family Promise will notify the church in advance.

No smoking in buildings designate an outside smoking area provide container for butts Alcohol or drugs result in dismissal of guest Do not confront guests who are under the influence. Call Family Promise Staff immediately.

Expectations

Guests may not leave children unattended Volunteers should never be alone with a child or adult guest 2 volunteers at all times Volunteers may do activities with children but parent must be within eyesight

2:1 Rule

Guests will make their own decisions regarding need to go to the ER Volunteers should not prohibit guests from seeking medical attention Call 911 if necessary Do not transport guests to ER Churches should have a well stocked First Aid kit Emergency numbers should be posted

Medical Emergencies

Guests are responsible for storing all their own medication (Rx and OTC) Guests may not share medication of any kind with other families results in exit from program Volunteers should not recommend medicine Let guests make their own decisions Lock Boxes have been provided for each family by Blount Co Substance Abuse Prevention Action Team - Be Aware Blount Family Promise has the 2nd key to each box

Medication

Boundaries

Guests must not ask for money or specific items (Family Promise supplies diapers, shampoo, clothing, etc.) Volunteers cannot enter into a business relationship with a guest. Tell FP staff if you know of a job, car, housing etc. Volunteers should be familiar with guidelines Review church specific guidelines If guests disregard guidelines remind them If they continue to disregard report to Family Promise Staff

Exceptions

Small gifts given to each family equally Holiday (Easter basket, Halloween treat etc.) Birthday cake/icecream Small items (books, coloring books) Gifts should come from the church, not individuals

respect guest privacy keep confidentiality report incidents to Family Promise respect parental authority respect personal faith/spirituality Always assume a guest can hear what you are saying don't share what you see and hear

Recap:

Mom goes into labor Guest wants to smoke after 10 pm children are arguing, or one is bullying Guest gives another guest a pill Guest is visibly intoxicated Guest has a bug in their room Child goes to the bathroom alone (or shower)

What would YOU do?

Mom goes into labor

If no other family member to drive them, call ambulance and call FP Staff

Guest wants to smoke after 10 pm

Consistency, "I'm sorry the rule is 9 pm - doors locked"

children are arguing, or one is bullying

Get both sides – document (have each side/each witness write out)

Guest gives another guest a pill Call FP Staff

What volunteers have done

Guest is visibly intoxicated Call FP Staff Guest has a bug in their room not an emergency Child goes to the bathroom alone (or shower) what is the age of the child? But don't let 2 children go alone and volunteers must be in sight of another volunteer or parent

What volunteers have done

Stewards of Children Bridges out of poverty Poverty Simulations ALICE

More Training Opportunities

Partner Agencies

Other ways you can help

Social Media "LIKE" us Click "Going" on our events Share Have a Birthday Fundraiser

Other ways you can help

Attend our Restaurant Fundraisers Amazon Smile Kroger Houses for Change Check out our Immediate Needs page

Donate new and gently used items Shop - all funds support our programs Vouchers - we give baby items, household goods, clothing, and furniture to our families at no charge (also to families served in partner agencies)

705 E Lincoln Rd Alcoa

Questions?

Creating a community where every child has a home!

Caroline Lamar director@blountfamilypromise.org April Smith asmith@blountfamilypromise.org Lorrie Crockett lorriecrockett@blountfamilypromise.org

865-233-4737

www.blountfamilypromise.org Creating a community where every child has a home!